Our Animals

At Manor Farm we believe in preserving the best of the past for the future. All our meat comes from rare breeds. No longer suited to modern day agriculture but within their genetics, they hold important properties for the future. For example, modern sheep have been bred to grow less wool as the demand has dropped. However, should the demand grow again, breeds such as our Leicester Long Wools would be utilised. For meat, older breeds can mature on considerably less food than commercial breeds and it can be said that all our rare breeds have less impact on the environment with a smaller carbon footprint. We also know that they may be fatter, slower growing and smaller in size than their modern day equivalent but all this leads to a better tasting meat.

Leicester Long Wool Sheep

Breed Society formed 1893

A historically extremely popular breed. Bred to be large and slow growing, predominantly for wool, with the added benefit of a mature tasting lamb – full of flavour. It is an extremely rare breed which is important to preserve. One day the genetics for growing wool may need to be utilised again by this breed, and these should never be lost. All the lamb and the wool labelled in the shop is bred on the farm and by buying it, you are helping to keep the breed going! Please ask in the shop for more details.

British Lop Pig

Breed Society formed 1920

The British Lop Pig (also known as Lop-eared) is a traditional farmyard pig that would have been kept in small numbers. It has an ability to survive on very little and can make use of otherwise unproductive land. The numbers dropped in the 1960’s as the breed became unfashionable. It is now becoming more popular due to the high quality of meat it produces. It is a fatter meat than the commercial breeds, but not as excessively fat as some of the other rare pigs. All the pork and sausages labelled in the shop or sold in The Farmhouse Kitchen, are from Manor Farm and by buying it, you are helping to keep the breed going! Please ask in the shop for more details.

British White Cattle

Legend links the breed to Whalley Abbey, Lancashire in the 17th Century

A dual purpose cow that was bred for meat and milk originally. In the 1960’s, Mr Grindal had a herd predominantly for milk, but now here at Manor Farm, we are rearing them solely for their meat. They are smaller than their continental commercial equivalent and slower growing. The meat is marbled and matures with a flavour that is unrivalled. We aid this by hanging the meat for an extended period. They appear to have been dipped in a giant blank inkwell with only the tips of their ears, their muzzle and their feet touching the ink. All the beef and burgers labelled in the shop or sold in The Farmhouse Kitchen are from Manor Farm and by buying it you are helping to keep the breed going! Please ask in the shop for more details.

We also have “Khaki Campbell” ducks that lay wonderful rich white eggs and chickens that lay green eggs!